1998 Mitsubishi Colt GLXi review from Colombia

- The only bad thing are the brakes. They are way too little for the performance on this car and with disc`s in the front only it gives a short tough life to the brake pads.

- Bigger rims and nicer tires from the factory would help on its great looks.

- Changing the oil every 5.000 Km and with periodically revisions the car will run perfectly. Plus Mitsubishi`s reliability is excellent.

- Some front and tail light bulbs went dead, but they were different than the factory ones.

- Clutch and belt changed at 80000 Km and the car feels like new.

- When the humidity level on the environment is a little high the check engine light tends to light up some times. I have checked it, but is probably an unusual electric bug. Not a big problem.

This review is very neutral, but is dedicated to all those Mitsubishi Colt GLXi that are always happy to answer to the question “What car is that!!?”

The Colt GLXi is a very low profile car; Even Mitsubishi underestimated the power of this little race horse giving it brake disc`s only in front and not using some ABS system on it.

The Colt GLXi, called Mirage Hatchback in some countries is the usual car you can’t identify in the street, but you really like because of it sporty looks an uncommon style, most people always wonder about it and to tell you truth, it’s a rare car in most countries.

With its 1.6 Lts. SOHC (single overhead cam) engine, 4 cylinders in line, 16 valves and 113 HP this car was made to run unrecognizably fast. Most people don’t really know this car is compared in performance to a Honda civic Si (130HP), a Citroen Saxo VTS 16V (120HP), a Volkswagen GTI or a Peugeot 306 XSi (135HP). Only this little rocket is lighter, more comfortable and spacious than some of his rivals. Thanks to its lines, the aerodynamic coefficient is very very low making it a real flyer. Its redline starts at 6.500 RPM on the instrument panel, but it lets you go up till 6.900 RPM and the revy engine is willing to get there as quick as possible.

0-60 (0-100 Kms/h) times always vary depending on the environment conditions, but in Bogotá - Colombia where I have try it, at 2800 Mts. over the sea level it can take 7 seconds or so, at sea level must be interesting.

Driving is very fun, the car handles real nicely and it’s very soft. The space in the back seats isn’t as tight as in other coupe cars and the view is excellent on the mirrors. Power windows, mirrors, air condition and hydraulic steering makes it very attractive for its low price. You can find automatic transition versions, but it wouldn’t be as fun and quick as the manual. Changing the tires would help a lot on its stability on dramatic curves, but that’s if you run it “race style”.

It’s very sad that this car is so underestimated that it was given brake disc`s only in front making it a real pain. The car accelerates a lot more than what the brakes where designed for. I have done 205 Km/h on a highway and it gets there fast! Its top speed according to the instrument panel is 230 Km/h, but like some other cars it can go beyond that without any electronic limiter to stop you.

Its very appropriate for tunning fans. I have on it a K&N filter which really helps a lot on performance matters, and I changed its exhaust tube for a 2.5” one. Only with those little modifications you already feel a big difference.

It s a real nightmare for some big engine cars. I have won several street races to cars like Audi A3 1.8, Toyota Celica, Honda Civic, Golf GTI, and some heavy BMWs and Mercedes. The Saxo VTS 16V and the 306 XSi are the real competitors of the same kind, at least here in Colombia.

What would make it the perfect car? Brake disc`s all around, ABS, redline at 7.500 RPM and maybe a DOHC engine, but SOHC in this one already gives enough power for a 1.6 Lts.

Questions? Colt Racing Team? colt_racer@hotmail.com.